In the NFPA fire diamond, which number represents the greatest hazard?

In the NFPA fire diamond, which number represents the greatest hazard?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer: (D)

The fire diamond communicates different kinds of danger with a number in each colored section, from zero (no hazard) up to four (severe hazard). The idea is that higher numbers mean more danger in that category, so to gauge overall risk you look for the highest number present on the diamond. That highest value shows the most serious hazard you’d need to plan for. Since the scale goes up to four, the greatest hazard is indicated by that top value. So the answer is that the highest value shown on the diamond—the maximum on the scale—represents the greatest hazard.

The fire diamond communicates different kinds of danger with a number in each colored section, from zero (no hazard) up to four (severe hazard). The idea is that higher numbers mean more danger in that category, so to gauge overall risk you look for the highest number present on the diamond. That highest value shows the most serious hazard you’d need to plan for. Since the scale goes up to four, the greatest hazard is indicated by that top value. So the answer is that the highest value shown on the diamond—the maximum on the scale—represents the greatest hazard.